Chapter 17

“Alrighty then, go ahead! After completing such a dangerous cleaning task just now, you deserve a rest.”

With a smile, she approved Leon’s leave request. After he left with the constantly struggling sheep head, the woman with red hair immediately wiped the faint smile off her face. She crossed her fingers of both hands and leaned back on the chair, gazing thoughtfully at the old ceiling.

Something’s not right…

She clearly blocked Leon’s memories before, making him temporarily forget the contents of the Clearing Bureau’s work. So why did he know to come seek help from the Clearing Bureau after the badge warning?

Also, she deliberately released a bit of charm earlier, and Leon indeed seemed affected. But why was his behavior normal this time, as if he hadn’t lost any memory?

At this thought, the woman with red hair couldn’t help but slightly raise her eyebrows, recalling a small detail she had overlooked before.

Yesterday afternoon, when this little guy came over wanting to join the Clearing Bureau using his “anomaly,” he didn’t immediately explain his abilities but hesitated for a moment before claiming that his ability was to forcibly obtain intelligence…

“Hmph, interesting.”

Her lips curled slightly upwards. The red-haired woman picked up the feather pen from the ink bottle and pulled out Leon’s file from the drawer, finding the section about his abilities labeled “intelligence acquisition.” She added a small question mark above it with her pen.

Such a cautious little thing~ What secrets are you hiding in your heart?

…

[Encountered an incomprehensible special existence. The anomalous badge “Materialist Soul (Bright Red)” has been activated. Your cognitive boundaries have expanded, and you’ve obtained partial information about this existence.]

[Name: Love Without Memory (Forgetfulness, Whisper)]

[Appearance: No physical form]

[Ability: When someone develops feelings of affection, fondness, or admiration towards the host, the host of this anomalous item gains the ability to temporarily block a short-term segment of the other person’s memories.]

[Cost: Among parental love, filial love, and spousal love, one will forever lose access to one of these forms of ultimate love. If someone develops such ultimate love towards the host of this anomalous item, they will immediately lose all memories related to this love.]

[File: This anomalous item is held by Olivia, the director of the Sixth Division of the Clearing Bureau. Since she has no parents, spouse, or children, it is unclear which form of ultimate love she has lost.

Additionally, the last recorded use of this anomalous item was during the 1794 Red Moon Descent Incident.

Olivia, the director of the Sixth Division, disguised herself as a singer and used public broadcasting to widely spread songs, deceiving the admiration of many Moon People. She erased the memories of more than seventy thousand people, thereby completely thwarting the Moon People’s descent plan.]

[Assessment: Extremely powerful ability, but the cost is also quite heavy.]

[Taint Value: 7]

[Through your own observation and deduction, you’ve acquired a large amount of information about “Love Without Memory.” The anomalous badge “Materialist Soul (Bright Red)” has been activated.

Since you understand the activation rules of “Love Without Memory,” your resistance to this anomalous item has significantly increased, allowing you to shield yourself from general levels of influence.]

…

Ah, I see…

Looking at the new anomaly data that suddenly popped up when the red-haired woman grabbed his right hand, Leon standing at the door of the bureau director’s office couldn’t help but nod in understanding.

No wonder I forgot the content of the Clearing Bureau’s work; my relevant memories were temporarily blocked.

According to the “rules” the black goat told me, the more “truths” you know, the more likely you are to attract anomalies. The director probably blocked these memories because she was worried that I might encounter danger without the ability to protect myself.

But this kind of thing could have been told to me directly, right? Why…

“Leon?”

A soft voice called out, interrupting Leon’s train of thought. He looked up and followed the sound, only to feel his eyes dazzled by a tall and elegant beauty dressed in a beige half-suit skirt, who smiled gently at him from the other end of the corridor.

Unlike the clever and dangerous red-haired director, the beauty of the tall lady was almost entirely non-aggressive. Her slim yet curvaceous figure radiated an exclusively feminine allure.

Her skin, white as though infused with jade, paired with delicate and beautiful features, exuded a sweet and tranquil charm, evoking a natural desire to get closer…

“Thank you for what happened yesterday.”

The graceful woman seemed familiar with Leon. After greeting him, she lightly approached, holding a folder and asked with a smile, “Has the director finished talking with you? I want to submit another solo mission report. Is it convenient to enter now?”

“…”

Yesterday’s events, solo missions, and knowing me… Could you be that bandage… Ah no! Are you Senior Emma?!

The reliable senior from yesterday, covered in bandages and wearing a bird mask, was worlds apart from the gentle and poised tall beauty standing before him. Leon took a moment to process this before hurriedly stepping aside, feeling somewhat embarrassed as he said, “Convenient! Of course, it’s convenient! I’ve just finished talking with the director. Sorry for blocking you.”

No mistakes in every single content found on 69 Book Bar!

“It’s fine.”

After changing outfits, Emma’s skyrocketed attractiveness caused her to smile again, then she shyly opened her mouth and said:

“Um, I’ll be going on another mission in a few days. When I return, could you possibly help me with something?

Don’t worry, I promise there won’t be any danger involved. It might just be a bit tiring…”

“No problem! No problem!”

Upon hearing this, Leon immediately became serious and earnestly promised, “You saved my younger sister yesterday despite the great danger. So no matter how tired or hard it gets, I will definitely do my best!”

“Hehe, thank you in advance then!”

Her luscious and delicate lips curved upward slightly as she smiled at Leon again. Then, Bandage Woman… Emma pushed open the door and entered the director’s office.

Watching her slender figure disappear inside, Leon couldn’t help but inwardly marvel.

Good grief… If it weren’t for her voice being the same, I wouldn’t have recognized her! The difference is too big! If…

“If the bedbugs in my bed were as beautiful as her, I’d let them bite me all they want until I die without even groaning once… Kid, that’s what you’re thinking, right?”

“…”

Receiving Leon’s speechless gaze, the black goat grinned wickedly and coldly chuckled, “Heh, we advise you not to act flirtatiously. That girl already has kids several years old! You don’t stand a chance~ Better give up early!”

(ーー゛) What opportunity or lack thereof… I was just shocked by her drastically different appearance compared to yesterday, so I momentarily didn’t recognize her, alright? Why do you always think like that?

And anyway, with that annoying mouth of yours, how have you not been beaten to death yet? Does your stew taste good enough to save you?

(End of Chapter)